Over half of Brits (51%) feel they are too busy in their day-to-day lives to get the chance to read much – with one in four claiming they only have time to get lost in a page-turner whilst on holiday.
Mystery novels (30%) and thrillers (29%) are the top genres that readers like to get stuck into while abroad – which they are most likely to be found reading by the pool (56%), in their room (45%), or on the balcony (42%).
And men are more likely than women to be seen reading on holiday – with a poll of 5,000 adults revealing that two-thirds of all respondents (68%) would still pick up a good old-fashioned paper book rather than an e-reader (17%).
The survey found that Brits get through an average of 2.3 books each time they go on holiday, with an average of one trip abroad per year.
And 17% are also more confident about their book choices while on holiday – reading subject matter they'd be too embarrassed to at home.
Romance novels were deemed the nation's “most guilty holiday reading pleasure” – with 29% admitting they would feel ashamed of being seen reading a romance story on public transport during their commute.
Readers in Wolverhampton, Bristol, and Liverpool are most likely to save this genre of novel until they are on a beach, far from the eyes of people who know them.
A spokesman for TUI BLUE, which commissioned the research, and has launched a book swap scheme for guests in a number of its hotels, said: “Finding the time to relax is so important, and losing yourself in a book is the perfect way to escape and unwind.
“In day-to-day life it can be easy to get wrapped up in what you’re doing from minute to minute, and hard to make time to get stuck into a book.
“And when do you have more quality time to unwind than on holiday? Whether on the flight to get there, on a sun lounger round the pool, or savouring a cool drink in the shade, holidays do provide the time and space to create those “me moments” it’s difficult to find at home.”
The study found that those in Belfast and Brighton are the keenest to work their way through a paperback – while those in Leicester read the least.
And 22% of adults admit to changing it up and reading different types of books on holiday – with people in Birmingham, Cardiff, and Newcastle most likely to expand their horizons.
However, Mancunians were found to be most likely to stick to what they know when it comes to genre choice, enjoying mysteries and thrillers the most both at home and away.
When it comes to finding time in their daily lives for a book, three in ten (31%) say there are other past times that take priority, while 26% are too busy on their work goals.
But when they do crack the spine of a page-turner, 59% will read in bed, and 15% will knock a few pages off on their commute.
Those on the lookout for recommendations on what to pick up next found Newcastle readers were most likely to use social media (40%) compared to other areas, while a fifth of Londoners have got recommendations after listening to a podcast.
Three-quarters (76%) would also be happy to donate a book they’d read and loved, so someone else could enjoy it – with Glaswegians (81%) the most likely to do so, according to the OnePoll data.
And 51% are happy to hit up friends and family for book-borrowing before they go away on holiday, for some fresh reads.
TUI BLUE’s spokesman added: “Book-borrowing is definitely a growing trend, and it’s something we’ve seen within our own hotels, with guests leaving reads for other holidaymakers to enjoy.
“This summer, we thought we’d take it a step further and make it super easy for people with a new book swap scheme in a number of our top destinations.
“You can pick up a pre-loved book and also share a few words of recommendation – or warning – with a personal note, saying why you loved or hated your read.”
